Herron VTPH-2A Phono Preamp....anyone familiar?

I've had the VTPH-2 for about 4 years, and can't think of any reason I would want to replace it. It is just plain great. Keith recently upgraded mine to VTPH-2a spec and I don't think you can find anyone better to deal with for support and service. I'm about to take delivery on a big speaker upgrade and I have no doubt that will just make the Herron sound that much better. If there is a better phonostage out there it has to cost vastly more. Others in the range just don't stack up.

@dwette....what're the specifics around the "2a" version/upgrade on the VTPH-2?  Also, what was the cost for the upgrade?

@jhajeski...WHen I asked Keith Herron about that he told me that every aspect of the phonostage is improved. He didn't provide specifics. As for cost you should contact him about that, not me. I live 10 miles from him, so dropped my unit off at his place and picked it up again when he completed the work. He didn't have to deal with inbound and outbound shipping for me, so I'm pretty sure he factored that into my cost.

I owned the VTPH 2 several years ago (not sure if it as the "A"version) and while I thought it sounded superb on classical and jazz, I missed that "bite" and leading edge on transients with rock music. I felt it sounded a bit "polite" and since most of my records are rock oriented, I ended up selling it. If you are a classical and/or jazz fan, the Herron could be your destination phono stage, at a reasonable price.

grk's post highlights the "problem" with personal anecdotes about the perceived sound of any given component. This is not to single out or critique grk, but we can't know if his impression of the Herron is the result of the phono stage itself, or of it as only one link in the chain that is his particular system. Perhaps it is his cartridge, or loudspeakers, or line stage or power amp, or even room, that is creating the lack of "bite and leading edge on transients" he hears. And what if grk is looking for more of that characteristic than are you? There is no substitute for a personal audition, in your own system, with your own music.